Abstract

We prove that topologically conjugate non-renormalizable polynomials are quasi-conformally conjugate. From this we derive that each such polynomial can be approximated by a hyperbolic polynomial. As a by-product we prove that the Julia set of a non-renormalizable polynomial with only hyperbolic periodic points is locally connected, and the Branner-Hubbard conjecture. The main tools are the enhanced nest construction (developed in a previous joint paper with [Rigidity for real polynomials, Ann. of Math. (2) 165 (2007) 749-841.]) and a lemma of Kahn and Lyubich (for which we give an elementary proof in the real case).